SWARCO Traffic Ltd launches Profectus - School Sign Management

31/07/2017

SWARCO Traffic Ltd. has launched Profectus – a new system that allows local authorities to monitor and control the performance of school signs, and improve safety.

From a simple web browser interface, users can ‘see’ when a sign is operating, check faults and change configuration for the master and slave signs. Fault notifications including failed LED displays can be sent via SMS or email, to reduce the possibility of a failed sign going unnoticed and potentially putting children at risk, Profectus also allows for energy consumption to be evaluated. Energy monitoring and control are key to Profectus providing a small footprint solar solution with the added communications and monitoring.

SMS secure message control provides control and monitoring facilities accessible from the local school to override normal operation.

Already successfully trialled at a primary school in Northern Ireland, a particular advantage is the ability to create bespoke timetables for when and how the signs are used, and the messaged displayed. Users can therefore accommodate ‘special days’, sending different messages or alerts at weekends and other off-peak times.

Profectus has a radio connection allowing multiple sites to be connected over 300m or extended range data connections of 6km, ‘dummy’ signs can also be used to target longer distances.

Andrew Walker, Business Development Manager says that considerable research and development investment has gone into making Profectus a success: “One Profectus sign is also able to create a network of eight signs, meaning a single sign has up to seven ‘slaves’, which report everything back into Profectus. This gives customers complete control of the area in and around their school, while helping to keep the traffic flowing as smoothly and safely as possible.”

David Cousins, Head of Engineering at SWARCO and main developer of Profectus, says Profectus gives users a level of control and reliability not previously possible: “Without Profectus, users might not be aware of an issue until a routine maintenance check is carried out,” he explains.

“Now they have total control, and visibility of data to further inform their traffic management decisions and further improve safety.”